Core and Cohort Updates

Admin Core

The Admin Core is preparing for the URBAN ARCH annual meeting on April 1, 2014, which will showcase the progress of the consortium and encourage collaboration through discussion of grant applications and cross-cohort analyses. The Admin Core, in collaboration with COMpAAAS, is co-hosting a reception for alcohol and HIV/AIDS researchers in conjunction with the CROI meeting on March 4, 2014. Additionally, the Admin Core is refining the protocol for use of the URBAN ARCH data and sample repository. Having written steps in place will facilitate the utilization of this resource by both members of the consortium and external investigators. Finally, the Admin Core is pleased to welcome a new research assistant – Michelle Serock. Michelle will assist in coordinating activities of the URBAN ARCH Admin Core. Welcome, Michelle! (picture to the right)

BDM Core

The U01 studies are all up and running smoothly so BMD Core has been able to turn their attention to other important activities including writing a smartphone application to generate automated text messages for the ZINC trial, developing customized software to manage the sample repository data that is compatible with individual systems at each cohort’s home institution, and beginning to develop cross-cohort analyses for the consortium.

Uganda Cohort

  • As of February 2014, Uganda ARCH (ADEPT STUDY) has enrolled 406 of 450 subjects and has conducted 266 6-month assessments, 145 12-month assessments, 53 18-month assessments and 2 24-month assessments.
  • Judy Hahn, the PI of the Uganda ARCH Study, ADEPT, just returned from a site visit to Uganda. Dr. Hahn was able to bring back 176 dried blood spot (DBS) samples in her carry-on suitcase. DBS cards are now considered non-infectious and the first trial of hand carried shipment was a success. New ART initiation guidelines in Uganda change patients’ eligibility to CD4 cell counts of 500, which was previously 350. This will impact both recruitment and follow-up times for the ADEPT study. Otherwise, everything is running smoothly!
  • Picture to the right: Uganda Cohort/ADEPT Team

Russia Cohort and ZINC RCT

  • As of February 2014, Russia ARCH has enrolled 120 of 250 subjects and has conducted 65 six-month assessments and 23 twelve-month assessments.
  • As of February 2014, ZINC has enrolled 31 of 250 subjects and is preparing to conduct their first 6-month assessments in March.
  • The team conducted their first analysis using baseline Russia ARCH data, looking at the association between heavy alcohol use and food insecurity. The results of this analysis were submitted to the International AIDS Conference. The US team is excited to welcome members of the Pavlov team to Boston for the Annual Meeting in April 2014.
  • The Russia ARCH/ZINC team is challenged by low recruitment and is working to implement diverse strategies to increase interest in the study, including reaching out to local clinics and hospitals and engaging peer providers. The team began distributing advertising materials to patients at the regional AIDS center and to providers at an anonymous HIV testing site at Botkin Infectious Disease Hospital.
  • Picture to the right: Russia ARCH/ZINC assessor and phlebotomist, Anna

 

Boston Cohort

  • As of February 21, 2014 the team has enrolled 152 of 250 subjects. Follow-up assessment began in June 2013 and is ongoing. 106 6-month follow-up assessments and 18 12-month follow-up assessments have been completed; no subjects have been lost to follow-up and no deaths have been reported.
  • In December 2013, the study team conducted its first statistical analysis testing the association between recent alcohol consumption and bone mineral density in the cohort. The results of this analysis were submitted as an abstract to the 2014 Research Society on Alcoholism’s Annual Scientific Meeting.
  • Picture to the right: The Boston Cohort RAs: (L-R) Margo Godersky, Laura Vercammen, Kate Haworth, Keshia Toussaint